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Master Cleanse (Lemonade) Diet: Does It Work for Weight Loss?

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Master Cleanse (Lemonade) Diet: Does It Work for Weight Loss?

The Master Cleanse diet, also known as the Lemonade Diet, is a modified juice fast used for quick weight loss.

No solid food is eaten for at least 10 days, and the only source of calories and nutrients is a homemade sweetened lemon beverage.

Proponents of this diet say that it melts fat and cleanses your body of toxins, but does science really back up these claims?

This article will take a deeper look at the pros and cons of the Master Cleanse diet, discuss whether it leads to weight loss and provide more details on how it works.

Rating Score Breakdown

Overall score: 2

Fast weight loss: 5

Long-term weight loss: 1

Easy to follow: 2

Nutrition quality: 0

BOTTOM LINE: The Master Cleanse diet consists of lemonade, laxative teas and salt water. It’s bound to cause short-term weight loss, but is high in sugar and lacks food and important nutrients. It’s not a good long-term solution for weight loss or health.

The Master Cleanse diet is relatively simple to follow, but can be quite an adjustment from regular dieting since no solid food is allowed.

Easing Into the Master Cleanse

Since consuming a liquid-only diet is a radical change for most people, it is recommended to ease into it gradually over a few days:

Simply mix together the above ingredients and drink it whenever you are hungry. At least six servings are recommended per day.

In addition to the lemonade drink, consume one quart of warm salt water each morning to stimulate bowel movements. Herbal laxative teas are also permitted, as desired.

The creators of the Master Cleanse recommend staying on the diet for at least 10 and up to 40 days, but there is no research to support these recommendations.

Easing out of the Master Cleanse

When you are ready to start eating food again, you can transition out of the Master Cleanse.

Day 1: Start by drinking fresh-squeezed orange juice for one day.

Day 2: The next day, add vegetable soup.

Day 3: Enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables.

Day 4: You can now eat regularly again, with an emphasis on whole, minimally processed foods.

Summary The Master Cleanse Diet is a 10- to 40-day liquid fast. No solid food is eaten, and only a spicy lemonade drink, tea, water and salt are consumed. Since this is a radical diet change for most people, it is a good idea to gradually ease in and out of it.

The Master Cleanse diet is a modified type of fasting, and typically leads to weight loss.

Each serving of the Master Cleanse beverage contains about 110 calories, and at least six servings are recommended per day. Most people will consume fewer calories than their bodies burn, leading to short-term weight loss.

One study found that adults who drank lemon water with honey during four days of fasting lost an average of 4.8 pounds (2.2 kg) and had significantly lower triglycer >1 ).

A second study found that women who drank a sweetened lemon beverage while fasting for seven days lost an average of 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg) and also had less inflammation ( 2 ).

While the Master Cleanse diet does lead to short-term weight loss, no studies have examined whether the weight loss is maintained long-term.

Research suggests that dieting only has a 20% long-term success rate. Making smaller, sustainable diet and lifestyle changes may be a better strategy for weight loss ( 3 ).

Summary The Master Cleanse diet typically leads to weight loss and may reduce triglyceride and inflammation levels, but it is unclear whether these benefits are maintained over time.

The Master Cleanse diet claims to remove harmful “toxins” from the body, but there are no studies to support these claims ( 4 ).

There is a growing body of research that suggests some foods — such as cruciferous vegetables, seaweed, herbs and spices — can enhance the liver’s natural ability to neutralize toxins, but this does not apply to the Master Cleanse diet ( 4 , 5 ).

Summary There is no research to support the claim that the Master Cleanse diet removes toxins from the body.

As a weight loss diet, the Master Cleanse has several benefits.

It’s Easy to Follow

Beyond making the Master Cleanse lemonade and drinking it when you are hungry, no cooking or calorie counting is required.

This can be very appealing for people with busy schedules or those who do not enjoy food preparation.

It’s Relatively Inexpensive

Since the only items allowed on the Master Cleanse are lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, salt, water and tea, grocery bills are relatively low while on the cleanse.

However, the Master Cleanse is only a short-term diet, so this benefit only lasts as long as you remain on the cleanse.

Summary The Master Cleanse diet is easy to understand and follow, and may be less expensive than a regular diet.

While the Master Cleanse diet may lead to rapid weight loss, it has some downsides.

Constipation is another common complaint, since no solid food is eaten during the cleanse.

Salt water flushes and herbal laxative teas are used to stimulate bowel movements instead, but may cause abdominal cramping, bloating and nausea in some people ( 16 ).

It’s Not Appropriate for Everyone

Very low-calorie diets like the Master Cleanse are not appropriate for everyone ( 12 ).

Women who are pregnant or lactating should not do the Master Cleanse, since they need larger amounts of calories and nutrients.

It is also not appropriate for those with a history of eating disorders, since restrictive dieting and laxative use may increase the risk of relapse ( 17 ).

People who take insulin or sulfonylureas to manage blood sugars should also use caution before starting a juice cleanse, as they may develop low blood sugar.

Anyone with a history of heart issues should consult with their doctor before fasting in order to avo >13 ).

Summary The Master Cleanse diet lacks many of the important nutrients your body needs, and may be difficult to maintain. This diet is not appropriate for everyone, and may cause unpleasant side effects in some people.

Master Cleanse lemonade, made from fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water, is the only food allowed during the diet.

Warm salt water can be consumed in the mornings to stimulate bowel movements and herbal laxative tea can be enjoyed in the evenings.

No other foods or beverages are allowed during the Master Cleanse diet.

Summary The only foods allowed on the Master Cleanse diet are freshly squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water. Herbal laxative tea and warm salt water are used to stimulate bowel movements as needed.

Here’s what one day on the Master Cleanse diet can look like:

First thing in the morning: Drink one quart (32 fl oz) of warm water mixed with 2 teaspoons of sea salt to stimulate your bowels.

Throughout the day: Have at least six servings of Master Cleanse lemonade whenever you feel hungry.

Before bed: Drink one cup of herbal laxative tea, if desired.

Summary The Master Cleanse diet is relatively straightforward. It starts with a salt water flush in the morning, followed by the Master Cleanse lemonade throughout the day. Herbal laxative tea can be consumed at night as needed.

If you’re considering embarking on the Master Cleanse diet, the following shopping lists can help you prepare: